EU country's leader blames Kiev for domestic unrest, says "anti-government protests"
Ukrainians have been instrumental in the recent pro-EU protests in Slovakia, according to Prime Minister Robert Fico. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
A substantial number of demonstrators in Bratislava were Ukrainians, according to Slovak leader Robert Fico.
During large anti-government protests across Slovakia, Prime Minister Robert Fico asserted on Saturday that Ukrainians played a significant role. His comments came after Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky expressed support for the protests via social media.
Local media reported that up to 100,000 people participated in the protests across more than 20 cities on Friday, with around 60,000 in Bratislava alone, as indicated by organizers.
The protesters called for the government to distance itself from cordial relations with Russia and seek closer ties with the EU and NATO. Signs displayed included messages like “No collaboration with Russia” and “We are Europe and not Russia,” and some demonstrators carried Ukrainian flags along with pro-Kiev slogans, including one that said “I am here, on the Maidan,” referencing the pro-Western Euromaidan protests in Ukraine from 2013-2014.
According to Slovak media reports, a non-governmental organization called ‘Peace for Ukraine’ was involved in organizing the demonstrations. Zelensky supported the protests on X, stating, “Bratislava is not Moscow, Slovenia is Europe.”
In an interview with national broadcaster STVR, Fico claimed, “a third [of the protesters] are Ukrainians who are against the Slovak government.” He accused the protest organizers of spreading “deceptive” information suggesting that Slovakia was set to disengage from the EU.
“Nobody is going to leave the EU. Their problem is my sovereign stance on foreign policy issues,” Fico stated, adding, “I don’t want anyone to dismantle the republic because they do not like this government’s views on Ukraine.”
Fico dismissed calls for his resignation, arguing that his cabinet was “too seasoned and experienced” to be overthrown by NGOs and activists he claimed were also involved in Ukraine and Georgia.
Following his party, SMER-SD, winning elections in 2023, Fico reversed previous government decisions to send weapons to Kiev. He has since advocated for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict and criticized the EU’s sanctions against Russia.
He also threatened to terminate electricity supplies to Ukraine unless it resumes the transit of Russian natural gas to Central Europe, noting that Slovakia had previously relied on a Soviet-era pipeline passing through Ukrainian territory for its gas supply. Ukraine has refused to renew its contract with Russia’s Gazprom, resulting in the cessation of flow since January 1.
Additionally, Fico alleged that two recent cyberattacks on Slovak state agencies were conducted by foreign forces linked to the 2014 pro-Western coup in Kiev.
Lucas Dupont contributed to this report for TROIB News
During large anti-government protests across Slovakia, Prime Minister Robert Fico asserted on Saturday that Ukrainians played a significant role. His comments came after Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky expressed support for the protests via social media.
Local media reported that up to 100,000 people participated in the protests across more than 20 cities on Friday, with around 60,000 in Bratislava alone, as indicated by organizers.
The protesters called for the government to distance itself from cordial relations with Russia and seek closer ties with the EU and NATO. Signs displayed included messages like “No collaboration with Russia” and “We are Europe and not Russia,” and some demonstrators carried Ukrainian flags along with pro-Kiev slogans, including one that said “I am here, on the Maidan,” referencing the pro-Western Euromaidan protests in Ukraine from 2013-2014.
According to Slovak media reports, a non-governmental organization called ‘Peace for Ukraine’ was involved in organizing the demonstrations. Zelensky supported the protests on X, stating, “Bratislava is not Moscow, Slovenia is Europe.”
In an interview with national broadcaster STVR, Fico claimed, “a third [of the protesters] are Ukrainians who are against the Slovak government.” He accused the protest organizers of spreading “deceptive” information suggesting that Slovakia was set to disengage from the EU.
“Nobody is going to leave the EU. Their problem is my sovereign stance on foreign policy issues,” Fico stated, adding, “I don’t want anyone to dismantle the republic because they do not like this government’s views on Ukraine.”
Fico dismissed calls for his resignation, arguing that his cabinet was “too seasoned and experienced” to be overthrown by NGOs and activists he claimed were also involved in Ukraine and Georgia.
Following his party, SMER-SD, winning elections in 2023, Fico reversed previous government decisions to send weapons to Kiev. He has since advocated for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict and criticized the EU’s sanctions against Russia.
He also threatened to terminate electricity supplies to Ukraine unless it resumes the transit of Russian natural gas to Central Europe, noting that Slovakia had previously relied on a Soviet-era pipeline passing through Ukrainian territory for its gas supply. Ukraine has refused to renew its contract with Russia’s Gazprom, resulting in the cessation of flow since January 1.
Additionally, Fico alleged that two recent cyberattacks on Slovak state agencies were conducted by foreign forces linked to the 2014 pro-Western coup in Kiev.
Lucas Dupont contributed to this report for TROIB News
